World Footy News

The USAFL makes the claim that they hold the "biggest Australian Football tournament anywhere in the world". This could be set to be challenged by a new pre-season tournament to be held in Ballarat in Australia. Of course USFooty has the runs on the board and is a set annual fixture.

This inaugural tournament titled the "Aussie Rules Club Classic" will be a “Festival of Football” over a three day weekend played under a round robin format. The tournament is presented by Initiative Marketing and the City of Ballarat and is a pre-season competition supported by AFL VIC, giving metropolitan and country clubs/teams the opportunity to play against clubs/teams from a range of associations and leagues across Victoria. The tournament dates are March 18-20, 2011.

Such a tournament might be ideal in future years for strong international teams to compete against Australian clubs. Clubs such as New Zealand's University Blues or the USA's Denver Bulldogs come to mind as two of many we would like to see in such a format. At this stage though the tournament is only open to Victorian teams.
The tournament will be officially launched this Friday Dec 17th at the Ballarat Football League Social Rooms by Councillor Cheryl Bromfield from the City of Ballarat and guests, Nth Melbourne Kangaroos AFL players Drew Petrie and Cam Richardson, CEO of Nth Melbourne Kangaroos Football Club Eugene Arocca, Metropolitan and Country Football Leagues, Associations and Clubs.

The Aussie Rules Club Classic will provide matches for the Open, Reserve Grade, Master’s, Under 18 and Female
divisions. The event will allow clubs of all standards to enter teams, play in a competitive competition and give coaches much-needed bonding time, leadership planning and intensive fitness work with their players.

As one of Australia’s largest inland cities, Ballarat is renowned as being one of Victoria’s premier tourist destinations attracting visitors with their gold and architectural heritage, parks and gardens, art and cultural activities and as a gateway to western Victoria. Ballarat is the perfect place to host the inaugural ‘Aussie Rules Club Classic’!

The cost to participate in the ‘Aussie Rules Club Classic’ is $1,250 per team (based on squads of 25 players this equates to $50 per player for the three days which is under $17 a day), which includes:
Minimum of 8 games against metropolitan and regional opposition over 3 days.
All matches played on excellent football grounds with first class facilities as organised by the City of Ballarat.
Complete event and competition management including venues, officials, umpires, match balls, first aid, footy record, scores and ladder management.
Accommodation coordination through Ballarat City Council Visitor Information Centre.
Admission to formal ‘Aussie Rules Club Classic’ opening and closing functions.
Participation in the inaugural ‘Aussie Rules Club Classic’!

The Aussie Rules Club Classic will be administered under rules as enforced in all football competitions in Victoria
Umpires and officials will be engaged from official football competitions. Strict sanctions including send-off rules will be enforced.

The Aussie Rules Club Classic is providing minimum prize money of $10,000 in cash plus $10,000 in sponsor prizes for allocation to winning teams and player awards. Details of the breakdown of the distribution of prize money and
prizes will be provided after registrations close and prior to the launch on March 18, 2011.

For full event details call (03) 9696 4644 or visit http://www.initiativemarketing.com.au